Google today announced that it was shutting down the 1-800-GOOG-411 service, a free by-phone directory service. The announcement came through the Google blog. Google said that it will be shutting down the service effective November 12. Google got emotional in its blog calling the GOOG-411 service “an old friend”.
The company justified stopping the service due to the rising number of smart phone apps that can provide the search faster and better. Voice search is already available in many Android and iPhone apps citing which Google realised that there was no need of such service anymore.
GOOG-411 service was started in April 2007 before the Android and iPhone models made it to the market. Google did not see many users using its service to its fullest extent although it did have some admirers.
Has anyone seriously relied on this service?
You can read the original blog here.
I had early used the 1800GOOG411 service and found it to be fairly helpful. I regret seeing the service being shutdown. Although recently I had used the toll free service of Justdial. I called up 1800-500-0000 and my queries were answered within 60 second by a real person. They also connected me to the vendor that I was looking for. Truly I think Justdial is one step ahead of 1800GOOG services.
I used to have 1-800-GOOG-411 on speed dial in my Motorola RAZR. It was so easy to bluetooth dial, then just talk at it and it would connect you through to the number you needed. Never a button needed. When I got my Android I stopped using it, primarily because of some bluetooth dialing issues and I don’t go to the big city as much anymore. GOOG-411, you will be missed. R.I.P. GOOG-411
I recently heard of Justdial, a 24×7 operator-assisted toll-free concierge service. I dialed 1800-500-0000 to try the service, and was amazed when a human voice answered my query within 60 seconds. Justdial really delivered what they promised.
I used to use Google 411 a lot.
I own a business and am also an elected official, so my cell is fairly busy.
It wasn’t perfect, but I managed work-arounds.
I too had it on my Razr and the bluetooth dialing worked well (unlike my android) so I could go from voice to talking to my clients without pressing a button – handy and safe when driving.
I miss GooG 411, a great service.